According to the U.S. Department of State, in 1789 George Washington began the tradition of taking the oath with a hand on the Bible. Presidents can choose another book, for example, John Quincy Adams ...
President Trump didn't place his hand on a Bible when he took his oath of office on Jan. 20, 2025. He’s not the first ...
The tradition of using a Bible during the swearing-in goes back to the very first inauguration, but not all Presidents have ...